Dolphins' first-round pick, for now, should be OT

Rebuilding OL is biggest priority, and OT is biggest need

DAVIE – You’re in charge of making the Dolphins’ first-round draft pick in May. Ask yourself this question:

Are you leaning toward selecting an offensive tackle with the No. 19 selection?

If you’re among those who thinks the Dolphins’ No. 1 off-season priority is rebuilding the offensive line, and if you think the draft has to be an integral part of that construction project, your inclination should be toward selecting an offensive tackle in the first round.

It’s not the only option, but right now, it’s the best option.

Why?

The Dolphins could need four new starters on the offensive line. Granted, that could be addressed through free agency and the lower rounds of the draft.

But a major reason for rebuilding the offensive line the right way, in a way that endures, is so you can protect quarterback Ryan Tannehill, your No. 1 hope for success.

Tannehill was sacked a NFL-worst 58 times last year. It’s a small miracle he wasn’t injured. Despite the unstable pocket, Tannehill showed promise. If you give him time to drop back and pass it seems likely he can utilize his talented, veteran wide receivers and get the offense going.

A quality offensive lineman could also help the anemic rushing offense.

The first-round pick needs to be an offensive lineman. It’s the biggest area of need.

You’re definitely not drafting a center in the first round. Mike Pouncey is a Pro Bowl player.

You could draft a guard at No. 19. But right now, and it’s early in the draft process, no guard merits a first-round grade. The smarter choice is to re-sign incumbent right guard John Jerry, draft a guard in the lower rounds, and sign a free agent.

The Dolphins need an upgrade at both tackle positions. The high-quality tackles are expensive in free agency. Maybe you get one starter that way, but not both. Clearly, offensive tackle is a key position for both run blocking and pass blocking. The flaws were costly last season. That’s got to be fixed.

Offensive tackle is your No. 1 need on the offensive line, and offensive line is your No. 1 off-season priority. That’s why you should be leaning toward an offensive tackle in the first round.

But let’s finish the scenario regarding the first-round pick.

You probably won’t draft a quarterback, tight end or wide receiver in the first round. It’s unnecessary.

Maybe you draft a running back in the first round. It’s an area of need, but taking a running back in the first round goes against the recent trends. Still, it’s a possibility.

You probably won’t draft a defensive tackle in the first round. Both Randy Starks and Paul Soliai are free agents. One will return, but not both. Jared Odrick returns and he gets paired with either Starks or Soliai as starters. That’s strong.

You probably won’t draft a defensive end in the first round. You did that last year.

You probably won’t draft a linebacker in the first round. All three starters are under contract.

You probably won’t draft a cornerback in the first round. You drafted one in the second round last year (Jamar Taylor) and one in the third round (Will Davis). Plus, Pro Bowl selection Brent Grimes, a free agent, will likely get the franchise tag if he can’t agree to a long-term deal, so he’ll be back one way or the other.

Maybe you draft a safety in the first round. Free safety Chris Clemons is a free agent.

So there you have it – offensive tackle, running back and free safety are probably your first-round targets right now. Linebacker is the darkhorse.

Keep in mind free agency comes before the draft, and there’s still lots more draft evaluation to be done. The current scenario will change.

But if you were making the Dolphins’ first-round pick, and you believe building the offensive line is your No. 1 off-season priority, for the time being, you should be leaning toward selecting an offensive tackle.